it's not really a documentary, more of a 5 part movie that was re-enacted, but When They See Us was pretty incredible. The performance from the one kid who ends up serving time at Rikers was an all timer.
Somm and Sour Grapes recently, both wine based documentaries. Somm about the preparation for the once a year Master Sommalier exam, and Sour Grapes about a guy that posed as an expert wine buyer/seller, both great.
Others that stand out:
Fyre- About Fyre Festival
Mommy Dead and Dearest- Gypse Rose Blanchard story
I Love You, Now Die- Michelle Carter texting/suicide case
Enron- Smartest Guys in the Room
Wild Wild Country
Holy Hell
Going Clear- Scientology
Blackfish
I Am Not Your Guru
Definitely others that I'll remember and come back to
The birth of modern skateboarding. Nothing overly important but really a interesting documentary because the footage was filmed before they were famous. It’s like you were there.
Fog of War about Sect'y of Defense Robert McNamara
Story of Werner Herzog trying film a disastrously magnificent film (Fitzcarraldo) in the Amazon rain forest. Madness, murder, mayhem, a man’s artistic obsession gone wild.
I liked and I watched it "by accident" was Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon.
I'm not a fan of the band, but I clicked to watch it on netflix and it was one of those "the remote is not in my hand and I'm too lazy to get it" moments.
It was really good and the music was good too. Interesting story for those who like stories about bands and how they formed and behind the scenes stuff.
About an alleged father/son pedophile ring in Long Island in the 80's. Was pretty obvious the son was completely innocent and the tactics of the police in interrogating kids until they confess to insane imaginary cults was something else. Really haunting documentary.
Two from 20-30 years ago: Brother's Keeper and Visions of Light. Also, some of the Ross McElwee films -- Sherman's March is a scream, especially if you're from the South.
I watched "Pandemic", an excellent doc about the problems the world would face if an pandemic broke out. And how these different scientists and health organizations were researching vaccines, tracing out breaks, etc.
And then a few months later Covid was spreading like a wildfire across the planet...
about Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, and that whole era of influential surfers coming up. One of the best sports docs Ive seen in a long time.
Both the Fyre Fest docs were great, and while it's very passe, Tiger King was super engrossing.
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
About a guy who was convicted of murder, was at a dodger game, and how they proved he was there
it was fascinating
+1 -- this doc was awesome. Really really interesting and a massive stroke of luck for that Dodgers fan. Crazy to think that he'd be in jail for murder if it wasn't for... well I won't spoil it, but if it wasn't for that.
Both the Fyre Fest docs were great, and while it's very passe, Tiger King was super engrossing.
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
I love the Dandy Warhols! And have never seen this!
Thanks for posting.
Ive got a friend who did sound for 30+ years and is very well travelled in that industry, and he'll tell you that Anton Newcombe is without a doubt the biggest asshole he ever worked with.
It is a series of documentaries chronicling 14 children in England, starting in 1964 when they were 7 years old. 7 years later, the filmmakers went back and interviewed them again.
They have continued this for every 7 years,interviewing those members of the original 14 who consented. The names of the documentaries are 7up, 14up, 21up, 28up etc. The best part of watching now is that you do not have to wait 7 years for the next installment to be aired.
The latest one, 63 up, was broadcast last year. Waiting for it to come on Netflix.
Both the Fyre Fest docs were great, and while it's very passe, Tiger King was super engrossing.
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
Dig! is a fun one. Have seen BJM in concert a bunch of times and their lead singer was a legit maniac lol.
I enjoy documentaries and this could be the best I’ve seen.
More obscurely, CONTROL. It’s a very sad docu-drama into the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. An epileptic whose gifts were overshadowed by his disease and eventual suicide. Good movie, but I suggest more upbeat alternatives.
Finally WORLD WAR II - In Colour is a must see, I think.
back to the 1974 documentary "Hearts and Minds" covering the US involvement in the Vietnam war. It changed the way I viewed US foreign policy forever, and I hope would be as relevant today post the War on Iraq with its questionable supposed motivation of WMD as it was then, with the supposed raison d'etre of the "Domino Effect".
But even more moving, if possible, and certainly more flat out horrifying and bone chilling were the films "The Sorrow and the Pity" by Marcel Ophuls (part of his Holocaust trilogy) and "The Killing Fields" about the Khmer Rouge's reign in Cambodia.
Nothing quite equals the Ophuls trilogy, but then no mass genocide has quite equalled the Holocaust yet, either.
is "Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team."
It's different than the Miracle movie because it's a documentary and it was on HBO. Narrated by Liev Shrieber, but appearances and clips of the actual players and Al Michaels and other figures from that era.
I never understood truly how important that event was for me until last Thanksgiving, I was coaching my daughter's team and we went to a tournament in Lake Placid. I hadn't been. So bizarre trying to fathom that there was an Olympics there. It's a small quaint little village - just dripping with history. Stepping on the ice where USA beat Russia just hit me, man. And then seeing my daughter score a goal on that sheet of ice and the smile on her face, was about as emotional as I've ever been.
I was a little kid when the USA beat Russia, but I felt like I understood the importance - partly because of documentaries like this.
The Devil Next Door - straight up went back and forth, but not in the usual way where they fabricate it. The evidence on both sides was arguable.
Recent ones the Social Dilemma and The Swamp. The latter one is political and I never know how people react to those, but I think it's different then what people are thinking. Pretty much documents how we got here. Had no idea Newt Gingrich was essentially the most influential person of the 21st century, but it discusses how we are exactly where we are because of him. Special place for ya buddy. Actually changed my mind about Matt Gaetz as well. While I disagree with everything he stands for and his weird infatuation, I can admire what he is trying to do.
noted Fog of War and interest in the Vietnam War, I'd like to recommend the book "Fire in the Lake" by Frances FitzGerald. It's a brilliant piece of in depth journalism, and does a fine job looking at the war from the Vietnamese perspective.
Others that stand out:
Fyre- About Fyre Festival
Mommy Dead and Dearest- Gypse Rose Blanchard story
I Love You, Now Die- Michelle Carter texting/suicide case
Enron- Smartest Guys in the Room
Wild Wild Country
Holy Hell
Going Clear- Scientology
Blackfish
I Am Not Your Guru
Definitely others that I'll remember and come back to
I'm not a fan of the band, but I clicked to watch it on netflix and it was one of those "the remote is not in my hand and I'm too lazy to get it" moments.
It was really good and the music was good too. Interesting story for those who like stories about bands and how they formed and behind the scenes stuff.
And not even joking, riveting stuff. Billy Mitchell, what a character.
Full doc on Youtube
Trailer - ( New Window )
The Seven-Five
Icarus
Andre the Giant
The Two Bills
Frontline - Forensics on Trial, Death by Fire
The Newburgh Sting - (HBO) also the Scientology feature
One that I saw that was terrific was Harvey Milk, Mayor of Castro Street.
Seconded. Awesome documentary.
Two from 20-30 years ago: Brother's Keeper and Visions of Light. Also, some of the Ross McElwee films -- Sherman's March is a scream, especially if you're from the South.
In comment 15010545 dslayton86 said:
And not even joking, riveting stuff. Billy Mitchell, what a character.
Full doc on Youtube Trailer - ( New Window )
Salesman
The Thin Blue Line
The Act of Killing
and for a music doc about a band i love
We Jam Econo
Godard's Sympathy for the Devil is pretty good too.
Fahrenheit 11/9
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
And then a few months later Covid was spreading like a wildfire across the planet...
Going to Pieces: The Rise & Fall of the Slasher Film
Screaming in High Heels:The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era
it was fascinating
about a minor league baseball team, that was great too, watch it if you havent.
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
it was fascinating
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
I love the Dandy Warhols! And have never seen this!
Thanks for posting.
They have continued this for every 7 years,interviewing those members of the original 14 who consented. The names of the documentaries are 7up, 14up, 21up, 28up etc. The best part of watching now is that you do not have to wait 7 years for the next installment to be aired.
The latest one, 63 up, was broadcast last year. Waiting for it to come on Netflix.
People on this board would probably also find the Aaron Hernandez Netflix Doc (Mind of A Killer) really interesting. I binged through that, it was crazy to get a behind the scenes look at it.
For an offbeat choice, if you're into music, especially late 90s/early 00s indie, I recommend the documentary "Dig!". It came in the early 00s and was about a rivalry between two indie bands - the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre - where one band had the "genius songwriter" who was totally unhinged and a lunatic, but the other band achieved a greater degree of commercial success. It was filmed across 6-7 years, and it's a cool look at two bands "making it" but how jealousy and entitlement can interplay with a proclaimed genius's ego.
Dig! is a fun one. Have seen BJM in concert a bunch of times and their lead singer was a legit maniac lol.
More obscurely, CONTROL. It’s a very sad docu-drama into the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. An epileptic whose gifts were overshadowed by his disease and eventual suicide. Good movie, but I suggest more upbeat alternatives.
Finally WORLD WAR II - In Colour is a must see, I think.
But even more moving, if possible, and certainly more flat out horrifying and bone chilling were the films "The Sorrow and the Pity" by Marcel Ophuls (part of his Holocaust trilogy) and "The Killing Fields" about the Khmer Rouge's reign in Cambodia.
Nothing quite equals the Ophuls trilogy, but then no mass genocide has quite equalled the Holocaust yet, either.
It's different than the Miracle movie because it's a documentary and it was on HBO. Narrated by Liev Shrieber, but appearances and clips of the actual players and Al Michaels and other figures from that era.
I never understood truly how important that event was for me until last Thanksgiving, I was coaching my daughter's team and we went to a tournament in Lake Placid. I hadn't been. So bizarre trying to fathom that there was an Olympics there. It's a small quaint little village - just dripping with history. Stepping on the ice where USA beat Russia just hit me, man. And then seeing my daughter score a goal on that sheet of ice and the smile on her face, was about as emotional as I've ever been.
I was a little kid when the USA beat Russia, but I felt like I understood the importance - partly because of documentaries like this.
Full video on youtube now.
link - ( New Window )
Recent ones the Social Dilemma and The Swamp. The latter one is political and I never know how people react to those, but I think it's different then what people are thinking. Pretty much documents how we got here. Had no idea Newt Gingrich was essentially the most influential person of the 21st century, but it discusses how we are exactly where we are because of him. Special place for ya buddy. Actually changed my mind about Matt Gaetz as well. While I disagree with everything he stands for and his weird infatuation, I can admire what he is trying to do.
Red Army, about the Soviet hockey program, was fantastic.